Browns can’t catch a break

November 14, 2009

BEREA -- For the Browns receivers, it's business as usual this week despite having to deal with another quarterback change.

Maybe that's because the receivers have enough on their plates to keep them occupied. A case can be made that the collective performance of the receivers rivals the poor quarterback play as the worst area on the team.

It's hard to forget Braylon Edwards and the 10 receptions he had in four games before being traded to the New York Jets. There were also several dropped passes mixed in, not to mention a physical altercation outside of a Cleveland night club.

What was left behind when Edwards headed east is a group that has done little to help the offense, other than an eight-reception, 148-yard effort by rookie Mohamed Massaquoi in an overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Massaquoi has a team-leading 19 receptions, which isn't good considering the Browns are at the midpoint of the season. Mike Furrey, who was the best receiver in training camp, has 15 receptions.

Coach Eric Mangini has many goals for the second half of the season. Near the top has to be to find ways to get more production from the receivers.

"I'm looking for all of us to increase our consistency," Mangini said. "When you look at the body of work, there's a lot of plays that could be there, but you can't deal in could've and should've. You have to deal with what's there and what our opportunities are and how do you change that."

The biggest mystery is rookie Brian Robiskie, who was a high second-round draft choice. Robiskie was a healthy scratch for two games early this season. In the six games in which he's played, he has all of one reception for 23 yards.

"We have to go back to working at the top of our routes, getting open and catching the ball," Robiskie said before going back to work after the bye week.

Massaquoi, another second-round draft pick, has been inconsistent, with the exception of the game against the Bengals. He's not concerned about whether it's Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson at quarterback.

"You still play the game," Massaquoi said. "See ball, catch ball, run and make plays. That's our job. That's not going to change. We're going to go out there and do it to the best of our ability, no matter who's the quarterback."

Massaquoi needs to begin taking the next steps in his development. He may never become a No. 1 receiver, but he has the potential to be a solid No. 2 receiver.

"There has definitely been some growing up," Massaquoi said. "With the bye week you've had a chance to sit back and unwind and see what areas you need to improve upon. We have eight games to go out and correct it."

The fact that the leading receiver looks like a number two receiver in the future says a lot about the bad shape of the receiving corps. Edwards may have dropped numerous passes, and he didn't always run routes the way they're diagrammed, but he was able to stretch defenses.

Chansi Stuckey, one of the players the Browns acquired in the trade with the Jets, doesn't fit the mold of a No. 1 receiver. In addition, he's struggled to find a groove since joining the team - one catch for 11 yards. He had 12 receptions for 131 yards with the Jets.

Stuckey admits that making the switch hasn't been easy.

"It's not like baseball where you make a trade and you just go and play," Stuckey said. "Playing the position I do in the slot, there are a lot of timing routes and continuity with the quarterback. That takes a lot of time."